Tragedy has once again struck the family of murdered Coleraine pensioner Bertie Acheson whose brother has died days after his car crashed into an ambulance.

Just three months after Mr Acheson was killed trying to protect his wife and home from a burglar, his brother James Stuart, known as Stuarty, was involved in a car crash with an ambulance that was taking a patient to Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry.

Nine people, including Stuart’s wife, received minor injuries in the accident near Macosquin outside Coleraine last Wednesday.

The father-of-three was taken to the Causeway Hospital for treatment but died in hospital on Monday. However, his death is not believed to have been related to injuries sustained during the crash.

“I just heard the news and am very saddened. This is a terrible tragedy for the family,” said Coleraine UUP councillor William King.

SDLP MLA John Dallat said the community will be shocked to hear about this second tragedy for the Acheson family.

“This is just dreadful news for the family who are still coming to terms with the murder of Bertie and the fact that his killer has still not been found.”

Only three months ago the Acheson family was left devastated after the death of 72 year-old Bertie. He died when he confronted an intruder at his home in Coleraine’s Glenmore Gardens.

Bertie and wife Sheila were disturbed by an intruder.

Mr Acheson, the main carer for his wife (70) who has severe arthritis and is wheelchair-bound, got out of bed and confronted the intruder in the kitchen, but collapsed.

A post-mortem examination revealed he died from a heart attack brought on by the stress.

The burglar left the 72-year-old grandfather on the ground, went into the bedroom and demanded money from Mrs Acheson.

After the intruder fled with her red purse and £375 cash she struggled to the kitchen to find her husband dead on the floor.

Background

Bertie Acheson was killed when he confronted a burglar in his Coleraine home on March 30. His attacker left him lying on the kitchen floor and went into the bedroom where he demanded money from Mr Acheson’s disabled wife.